iPhone owners are just realizing hidden iMessage menu lets you send ‘exploding’ texts and 4 other tricks

YOUR iMessage is packed with clever features that you may have missed – including exploding texts.

It turns out that your iPhone's iMessage app has a hidden menu.

Once you've found it, you'll end up using it all the time.

One of the best tricks is sending an exploding message that floods the screen.

But there are other types of special text too.

"In the Messages app , you can animate a single message with a bubble effect or fill the entire message screen with a full-screen effect (for example, balloons or confetti)," Apple revealed.

"You can even send a personal message with invisible ink that remains blurred until the recipient swipes to reveal it."

Tap out a message that you want to send: maybe try a chain of emoji.

Instead of tapping the Send icon, press and hold on it instead.

You'll find that a secret menu appears with several options.

If you tap the top of the display and switch to the Screen tab, you'll be able to send an exploding message that floods the recipient's phone with your text.

Bonus tricks

Of course there are several other options on that hidden menu worth paying attention to.

If you choose Slam or Loud, the message will pop out for the recipient.

And choosing Gentle means that the message will "arrive softly", according to Apple.

But the fourth bonus trick, which is very useful, is called Invisible Ink.

This hides the message for you and the recipient at a glance.

It's only revealed if you swipe over it with your finger.

This can stop shoulder-surfers from snooping on what you're reading or writing.

But it also allows you to safely talk about TV or movie spoilers in a group chat.